You can close most Bank of America accounts online through your profile settings, but the process depends on your account type and whether you have outstanding balances or linked services

Bank of America lets you close checking and savings accounts through their website or mobile app without calling or visiting a branch. The steps take about five minutes if your account has a zero balance and no pending transactions. If you have a negative balance, automatic payments set up, or linked credit cards, you'll need to resolve those first — the system won't let you close until they're cleared.

The actual closure happens when ready when you confirm it online, but it can take three to five business days for the account to fully disappear from your profile. Any pending deposits or withdrawals will still process during that window. If you have a mortgage, investment account, or business account with Bank of America, you cannot close those online and will need to contact the relevant department by phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Close checking and savings accounts through the Bank of America website or mobile app by going to Settings, then Account Services, then Close Account.
  • Your account must have a zero balance and no pending transactions, automatic payments, or linked services before you can close it online.
  • If you have direct deposits or automatic bill payments set up, you need to cancel or redirect them before closing the account.
  • The account closes when ready when you confirm, but takes three to five business days to fully disappear from your profile.
  • Mortgages, investment accounts, and business accounts cannot be closed online and require a phone call to the appropriate department.

What you need to do before closing

Before you start the closure process, make sure your account balance is exactly zero. If you have money left in the account, transfer it to another bank account first. If you owe money (a negative balance), you must pay it when ready — Bank of America will not let you close an account with a debt on it.

Next, cancel or redirect any automatic payments or transfers linked to the account. This includes paycheck direct deposits, bill payments, subscription charges, and transfers to other accounts. Log into your Bank of America profile and go to the Transfers & Payments section to see what's active. You'll need to update each one with a new account number or cancel it entirely. This step usually takes a day or two to take effect, so do it at least three days before you plan to close.

If you have a Bank of America debit card, credit card, or line of credit linked to the account, you cannot close the account until those are paid off or closed separately. Credit cards must be paid to a zero balance first. If the debit card is your primary payment method for anything, update those services with a different card or account number.

The steps to close your account online

Log into your Bank of America account on the website or open the mobile app. On the website, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. On the mobile app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and go to Settings.

From Settings, look for Account Services or Accounts. You should see a list of all your open accounts. Find the checking or savings account you want to close and tap or click on it. You'll see an option that says Close Account or Close This Account — click it.

Bank of America will show you a confirmation screen that lists the account number, current balance, and any pending activity. Read this carefully to make sure it's the right account. If everything looks correct, click Confirm or Close Account. The system will ask you to confirm one more time. After you do, the closure is complete.

What happens after you close

The account closes when ready, but it remains visible in your Bank of America profile for three to five business days. During this time, any checks you've written that haven't cleared yet will still process, and any pending deposits will still arrive. Bank of America will honor these transactions even though the account is closed.

After five business days, the account disappears from your profile entirely. You won't be able to log in and view it anymore. If you need a record of transactions from that account later, you can contact Bank of America and request a statement — they keep records for seven years.

If you had a debit card attached to the account, it will stop working when ready. You don't need to do anything else with it; you can throw it away or shred it. If you're closing the account because you're leaving Bank of America entirely, make sure you've transferred any automatic deposits or payments to your new bank before the closure takes effect.

When you cannot close online

Some account types require a phone call or branch visit. If you have a mortgage, home equity line of credit, investment account, or business account, you cannot close it through the website or app. You'll need to call the appropriate department: mortgage services at 1-800-432-1000, investment services at 1-800-386-1066, or business banking at 1-800-322-8500.

If your account has a hold placed on it by the bank (usually because of fraud investigation or a legal matter), you cannot close it online. You'll need to call 1-800-432-1000 to find out why the hold is there and when it will be lifted.

If you've been inactive for a long time, Bank of America may have frozen the account. In that case, you'll need to reactivate it first by calling the number on the back of your old debit card or contacting the branch where you opened it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have a pending check that hasn't cleared yet?

You can still close the account. Bank of America will honor any checks that clear after closure, even though the account is technically closed. Make sure you have enough money in the account to cover the check when it arrives. If the check bounces because the account is closed, the check writer can resubmit it, but you'll be responsible for any fees.

Can I reopen the account after I close it?

Yes, but only within a limited window. If you close the account and change your mind within 30 days, you can call Bank of America and ask them to reopen it. After 30 days, the account is permanently closed and you'll have to open a new one. A new account will have a different account number.

Do I need to close my debit card separately?

No. When you close the checking or savings account the debit card is attached to, the card automatically stops working. You don't need to take any additional steps. If you have a separate credit card or line of credit, those are not affected by closing a checking account.

Will closing my account hurt my credit score?

Closing a checking or savings account does not affect your credit score. Bank of America does not report checking or savings accounts to credit bureaus. Only credit products like credit cards, mortgages, and lines of credit appear on your credit report.

What if I forgot to redirect my direct deposit before closing?

Contact your employer's payroll department when ready and give them your new account number. Your next paycheck should go to the new account. If a paycheck was deposited to the closed account, Bank of America will reject it and it will bounce back to your employer. Your employer can then reissue it to the correct account, but this can take a week or more.